IMHO SvarDOS is way better, than FreeDOS. As for compatibility... m$-DOS 6.22 for pre-386 CPU based systems, and 7.10 (or even ROM-DOS 7.10) for 386 and newer. PC-DOS 2000 (7.0 rev.1) is also good alternative to m$-DOS 7.10.

I will say that although I use DOS 7.1 on all my 32 bit machines, if the machine is 16 bit I use DOS 5.0. DOS 7.1 won't even boot on a 16 bit machine.

I think I might have a couple of machines that I put DOS 3.3 on though.

The real advantages or disadvantages for older machines like that have to do with the utilities. EDIT is nice to have.

MS-DOS 6.22 for most things before Win9x. For Win9x, the DOS that comes with it.

FreeDOS has too many issues with stuff that makes it too much of a headache to work with retro hardware.

Most people have forgotten this, but MS-DOS 6.22 was available for free via the MS ftp site as well as a host of other things before they took the ftp down.

appiah4 wrote on Today, 13:02:

theelf wrote on Today, 12:58:

PC-DOS 7.1, same compatibility MSDOS, FAT32 support even on 286 machines (maybe 8088 but never tested FAT32), very VERY reduced memory needs

Exelent DOS

Hello, fellow man of culture.

Gang PC-DOS

I generally use version 7 unless I need FAT32. The reduced memory use applies not only to the kernel, but also most of the commonly used installable device drivers. Vernon did a great job optimizing it.

cyclone3d wrote on Today, 16:20:

Most people have forgotten this, but MS-DOS 6.22 was available for free via the MS ftp site as well as a host of other things before they took the ftp down.

I recall the 6-to-6.22 "StepUp" upgrade being there, but not the full version.

jakethompson1 wrote on Today, 17:19:

cyclone3d wrote on Today, 16:20:

Most people have forgotten this, but MS-DOS 6.22 was available for free via the MS ftp site as well as a host of other things before they took the ftp down.

I recall the 6-to-6.22 "StepUp" upgrade being there, but not the full version.

That is my recollection also, you had to have 6.0 already. Some folks claimed it worked on 5, but IDK if that was the download version or something they got from their OEM.

theelf wrote on Today, 12:58:

PC-DOS 7.1, same compatibility MSDOS, FAT32 support even on 286 machines (maybe 8088 but never tested FAT32), very VERY reduced memory needs

Exelent DOS

But can it run Windows 3.x with FAT32 ?

MS-DOS 7.10 patched with 3XSTART can do it - there are certain limitations, but nothing serious.

Grzyb wrote on Today, 19:02:

theelf wrote on Today, 12:58:

PC-DOS 7.1, same compatibility MSDOS, FAT32 support even on 286 machines (maybe 8088 but never tested FAT32), very VERY reduced memory needs

Exelent DOS

But can it run Windows 3.x with FAT32 ?

MS-DOS 7.10 patched with 3XSTART can do it - there are certain limitations, but nothing serious.

yes, win3x work perfect with fat32, tested in both my DOS computers using PC-DOS 7.1+FAT32, a 286 and a 486DLC

No need to patch anything, but this patch (second one) is recommended, Making Windows 3.11 work in DOS7.10 (patches inside)

Anyways in years of using FAT32+win3.x on PC-DOS never have any corrution problem

Love my 286 with a 32GB CF Card... plenty of space!!